Jon Jones Stripped of the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has stripped Jon Jones of the light heavyweight championship and reinstated the former champion, Daniel Cormier. This was after the Californian State Athletic Commission ruled the July 29th fight between Jon and Cormier as “no contest” due to Jon Jones’ failed drug test.

Daniel Cormier lost the title to Jones’ in a third round knockout. Jones has never lost the title in a bout; however, he has been stripped of the championship three times in his career following drug issues.

Jon Jones, 30, was confirmed by USADA to containing the banned substance from a sample taken on July 28, one day before he knocked out Cormier for the belt, his representatives disputed the results. However, following test results of his B samples issued on September 12, Jon Jones tested positive of the steroid turinabol stemming, leading to the cancellation of his victory.

The statement read that “As this was a title bout, Cormier will be reinstated as the light heavyweight champion.”

Commenting on the situation on “UFC Tonight,” Cormier said that Dana White, the UFC president had already informed him that he would be the champ once again.

Cormier knows that the reinstatement will come with criticism from fans, especially since Jon Jones has beaten him twice for the title. “Now people will say stuff like, well, you got handed the belt,” Cormier said.

The 38-year-old light heavyweight fighter says that he couldn’t refuse to take the belt, knowing that he was going to be in championship matches anyway and that the championship is a big boost to him financially.

Jon Jones’ career now remains uncertain as he faces a four-year suspension.